Wow I love reading this it has given me so many ideas on encouraging miss 7 away from the electronics

This house becomes craft central over the holidays, funny how they change as they get older and want to do more hands on stuff

I’m pleased to say that our holidays have been so far largely screen free. My son attended the first week at a holiday program and the second week at a camp where phones, iPads etc aren’t allowed.

Getting the kids to read a book or do some craft work is a great way for them to have down time

Instead of electronics in cars on longer trips my son and I have now introduced a quiz game that we both love. It is very educational for him. He will ask me the answers to things he has learnt at school and I ask him questions like “what is the capital of Australia,” etc. I love it and so does he. He is a chip off the old block I think.

My kids had no technology until they were in year 6. They did not even ask for it.
We had many games and craft books and I would buy them canvas and wood so
they could build cubby houses in the school holidays. Kids would ask to come and
play with my kids as they had the freedom of imagination. Water play with bags of clean
sand and soil to make mud pies and garden soup. The girls made fairy gardens and we made
our own bow and arrows and targets. Ball play was always on the a gender and walks to the park. We went on park hunts walking from one to the other taking our back-packs and then the bus home if we strayed too far by the end of the day. Bush walking in our area is always fun. I would like to mention that the fresh air and fun made them sleep well at night!

My kids are too young for the competition, but I agree with the principle.

Thankyou for posting this. I’m going to get my 10yr old son to enter.

Such a great idea, technology has just taken over now, gone are the days when kids used to play outside in the street with other children..

a very interesting read and something to think about

Interesting

As a mother of three amazing children I find it very hard trying to keep them busy. My husband and I do not allow the to have any technology apart from alittle tv in the morning. My two older children love doing arts and crafts, lego and playing outside. The image they have is amazing. But I am really worried when they go to school they will be the odd ones out as they do not know about any computers.

when its cold out side, try a indoor picnic, spread a rug, place the food, surround the rug with some comfy cushions and sit or lay down and read a good book with delicious food to eat at will.

While computers are now a part of everyday life, and are an invaluable learning tool, it’s also good for children to be aware of activities that don’t involve computers. Craft, cooking, reading books, playing games, writing, gardening, all sorts of things can be enjoyed by children of all ages. And it’s good practice for any interruptions to power supply … less wailing of “now what are we going to do” if the power goes out.

My kids get online to read books, learn & explore our world, space.
They also read books & learn too though

such a brilliant idea ! technology has changed so many things in life and is taking away from the relaxed, personalised downtimes

Down time can also be computer based activities, not sure why so many people think the computer is all about Not learning, books can be read on the computer, games can be played on the computer, journals can be written on the computer, children can even visit virtual museums and take a trip around the world or visit outer space …it’s just like one big library and activity centre.

It’s not like children never get to breathe fresh air, school aged children are usually out and about, playing sport and doing other activities.